Softball wins first game of season as Albert goes the distance

American River College’s softball team won its first game of the season Tuesday Feb.10, outlasting Shasta College 9-7 by taking advantage of Shasta’s errors in the sixth inning while starting pitcher Sharie Albert threw a complete game in the team’s home opener, only five days after making her first career college start.

“It feels really good. It’s only going up from here,” said Albert on her performance.

Albert struggled to start the game, giving up three first-inning runs including a two-run homer to Shasta designated hitter Hailee Nichols.

ARC would get on the board in the second inning thanks to a solo home run by Jennifer Woo, and though Shasta scored again in the top half the third inning, ARC would push three across the plate in the bottom frame to tie the game at 4-4.

With the bases loaded, ARC’s Darian Garnett hit a fly ball to left center field that appeared to be catchable, but dropped in after Shasta outfielders Leah Holland and Cheyenne King collided while attempting to make the catch, cutting the score to 4-3.

Neither Shasta player was hurt during the collision.

Albert followed by hitting a comebacker to Shasta pitcher Kayla Spini, who did not field the ball cleanly and allowed the runner to score.

Nichols homered again for Shasta in the top of the fifth inning, and ARC would tie the game up again in the bottom half on a Cindy Van Bogart double to score Albert.

About the Author

Matthew Peirson is a third-semester student on the Current, where he serves as Co-Managing editor. He previously served as the Co-Sports editor and the Opinion editor. Matthew is majoring in broadcast journalism and plans to transfer after graduation.